The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have welcomed the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to end the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and initiate a phased troop withdrawal.
Announced during an Extraordinary SADC Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, the decision marks the conclusion of a mission deemed unsustainable and poorly executed by the EFF. SAMIDRC, deployed in December 2023, aimed to support the Congolese army against rebel groups in Eastern DRC, with South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania contributing troops.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo criticized the mission’s planning and execution, highlighting the significant losses suffered, including at least 18 SADC soldiers killed in January 2025. “South Africa’s military was ill-equipped for this deployment, and the mission was unsustainable,” Tambo stated.
The EFF stressed that the mission failed to curb the influence of the M23 rebels, who have captured strategic locations like Goma and Bukavu and blocked key humanitarian routes. Reports suggest that the M23 rebels receive support from Rwanda. “Rather than stabilising the region, the mission found itself in an increasingly vulnerable position,” Tambo added.
SADC’s decision to withdraw follows diplomatic efforts to address the conflict. Last month, SADC and the East African Community (EAC) held a joint meeting to promote peace talks between the DRC government and rebel groups. Angola will host peace talks in Luanda on March 18.
Tambo acknowledged these diplomatic efforts as vital for resolving the conflict, which has persisted for over two decades without a military solution. As South African troops prepare to return, the EFF urged the government to prioritize their safe repatriation and reintegration into society.
The EFF also called for the redirection of the R5 billion allocated to South Africa’s involvement in SAMIDRC towards enhancing the country’s defence capabilities. “Resources allocated to this ill-fated mission must strengthen our defence forces, ensuring we are prepared for future peacekeeping roles,” Tambo emphasized.
The EFF reaffirmed its stance that South Africa should engage in peacekeeping missions only when there is a clear strategic objective, proper logistical planning, and sufficient resources. The party urged SADC, EAC, and the African Union to intensify diplomatic efforts and hold all parties accountable for the protracted conflict in the DRC.
“The withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops must mark the beginning of a renewed commitment to sustainable peace, not another cycle of conflict and instability,” Tambo concluded.
